Recording medium cartridge and signal recording apparatus

ABSTRACT

A cartridge for housing a recording medium therein. The cartridge includes a cartridge body configured such that a signal recording apparatus can record a signal onto the recording medium when the cartridge is loaded in the signal recording apparatus. The cartridge also includes an opening in the cartridge body for removing the recording medium from the cartridge body, and a cover covering the opening. An indicator on the cartridge body indicates whether the cover has ever been opened or removed from the cartridge body.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

The present invention relates to a disk-shaped, recording medium housedin a cartridge, and a signal recording apparatus using such a cartridge.

Today's computers and other information equipment commonly use opticaldisks to meet their large memory capacity requirements. A conventionaloptical disk cartridge is explained below with reference to thedrawings.

FIG. 12 depicts a cartridge 31 housing a recording medium 32, and havingan opening window 33 through which a signal can be recorded onto themedium 32 when the cartridge 31 is mounted on a signal recordingapparatus. The shutter 34 closes the opening window 33. Mounting thecartridge 31 to the signal recording apparatus automatically moves theshutter 34 and exposes the opening window 33.

Since the conventional cartridge 31, housing the disk 32, must record adesired signal accurately, the disk 32 must be protected fromcontaminants, such as dust or fingerprints, and from other defects, suchas scratches. Such a fixed-disk structure, therefore, cannot allow auser to remove the disk 32 from its cartridge and mount it to anothersignal regenerating apparatus. Even if the disk 32 was removable,however, the user would not be able to identify whether the disk 32 waspresent in the cartridge 31, nor recognize whether the disk 31 wascontaminated with dust or fingerprints, or damaged by defects.

If such contamination or defects go unrecognized, the signal recordingapparatus, when accessing a defective location on the disk, will recordthe signal in error. A signal recording apparatus can be equipped with adefect detection feature which would allow it to skip defectivelocations on the disk, however, such a feature reduces recordingapparatus performance, and prohibits the apparatus from recordingsignals at high speed.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to allow a user torecognize whether the disk housed in a cartridge has been taken out ofthe cartridge, and the signal recording apparatus housing the cartridgecan record a signal without accessing a defective place, caused when thedisk was removed from the cartridge, on the disk.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disk cartridge of the present invention is directed to a diskcartridge that allows the user to access the disk housed in thecartridge.

In one embodiment of the disk cartridge according to the presentinvention, a cartridge is structured such that a recording apparatus canrecord a signal onto a medium when the cartridge is mounted on therecording apparatus. The cartridge houses a recording medium, andincludes an opening through which the medium can be removed from thecartridge. An indicator on the cartridge informs the user as to whetherthe recording medium may have been removed from the cartridge.

In a second embodiment of the disk cartridge of the present invention,the cartridge houses a recording medium, and comprises at least onewindow or opening for recording a signal onto the medium when thecartridge is mounted on the signal recording apparatus. The cartridgeincludes an opening through which the medium can be removed from thecartridge, a shutter which covers the opening and an indicator whichinforms the user as to whether the medium may have been removed from thecartridge.

The present invention further provides a signal recording apparatus thatdetects whether a recording medium has been removed from its cartridge.The signal recording apparatus includes a detector which monitors theindicator on the disk cartridge, and determines whether the medium hasbeen removed from its cartridge. If the detector determines that themedium may have been removed from its cartridge, the signal recordingapparatus will not record a signal onto the medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a cartridge of a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 2 (a)-(d) depict a process of taking a disk out of the cartridgeof the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3 (a)-(b) depict an adhesive tape employed in the cartridge of thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts the cartridge of a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 depicts a claw employed in the cartridge of the second embodimentof the present invention.

FIGS. 6 (a)-(c) depict a process of taking the disk out the cartridge ofthe second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7 (a)-(b) depict an adhesive tape employed in the cartridge of thesecond embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram of a signal recording apparatus of athird embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 (a)-(b) depict a detector of the signal recording apparatus ofthe third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 (a)-(d) depict a detector of the signal recording apparatus ofthe third em diment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 depicts block diagram of a signal recording apparatus of afourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 depicts a conventional disk cartridge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A first embodiment of the cartridge of the present invention isdescribed as follows with reference to the drawings, wherein like orcorresponding reference numerals are used for like or correspondingparts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 depicts a cartridge 1 that houses a recording medium 2. Thecartridge 1 is structured such that when the cartridge 1 is mounted on asignal recording apparatus, the disk 2 becomes ready for recording asignal. The opening 3 is provided in the cartridge body 6 for removingthe recording medium 2 from the cartridge 1. Adhesive tapes 4 indicatewhether the recording medium 2 may have ever been removed from thecartridge 1. The tape preferably has a color that reflects light. Inthis first embodiment, reflective silver colored adhesive tape is used,however, the color of the tape is not limited to a certain color.

The adhesive tape 4 preferably operates such that once peeled off thecartridge 1, it will not re-adhere as originally manufactured. Theadhesive tape, however, can operate in any suitable manner whereby, oncepeeled off, it exhibits some indication that the cartridge 1 has beenopened. A cover 5 seals the opening 3, and removing the cover 5 allowsthe user to remove the recording medium 2 from the cartridge 1. Thecartridge body 6 includes a window 7 which exposes the recording medium2. The window 7 is covered by the shutter 8. When the cartridge 1 ismounted on the signal recording apparatus, the shutter 8 isautomatically opened to expose the window 7.

FIG. 2 (a) through FIG. 2 (d) depict a process of removing the recordingmedium 2 from the cartridge 1.

FIG. 2 (a) shows the cartridge 1, having the cartridge body 6 with thecover 5 and adhesive tape 4 in their original condition as received bythe user. FIG. 2 (b) depicts the cartridge 1 with the adhesive tape 4removed from the cartridge body 6. Removing the adhesive tape 4 allowsthe user to remove the cover 5, as illustrated in FIG. 2 (c). In thisfirst embodiment, a latch 9 is disposed on each end of the cover 5, andeach latch 9 snaps into a receptor 10 in the cartridge body 6. FIG. 2(d) depicts the recording medium 2 when removed from the cartridge body6.

The structure of this first embodiment enables either the cover 5 or thecartridge body 6 to indicate that the adhesive tape 4 has been removed,and that the recording medium 2 may have been removed from the cartridgebody 6. In other words, changing the condition of adhesive tape 4 fromsolid adhesion to both the cartridge body 6 and the cover 5, to a peeledoff condition allows the recording medium 2 to be removed from thecartridge body 6. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 (a) and (b),when the adhesive tape 4 is peeled off, a portion of the tape 4 remainson the cartridge body 6 and cover 5, and forms the letters "OPEN" toindicate that the adhesive tape has been peeled off. The user maythereby determine that the cartridge 1 has been opened and that therecording medium 2 may be contaminated with dust and/or fingerprints, orit may have some other defects.

FIG. 1 shows that two sheets of adhesive tape 4 are used, however, thenumber of sheets may vary. Additionally, the message appearing when theadhesive tape 4 is peeled off is not limited to "OPEN." The onlyrequirement is that the user be able to identify that the adhesive tape4 has been peeled off indicating that the recording medium 2 may havebeen removed from the cartridge body 6.

A second embodiment of the cartridge of the present invention isdescribed as follows with reference to the drawings, wherein like orcorresponding reference numerals are used for like or correspondingparts throughout the several views.

Referring to FIG. 4, a first window 11 in cartridge body 6 is used forrecording a signal onto the recording medium 2 when the cartridge 1 ismounted on the signal recording apparatus. A second window 12 isprovided in the cartridge body 6, on the opposite side of the firstwindow 11, and has approximately the same shape as the first window 11.The second window 12 is used for recording a signal onto the recordingmedium 2 when the cartridge 1 is mounted on the signal recordingapparatus. An opening 13 is provided at an end of the cartridge body 6for removing the recording medium from the cartridge 1. A claw 14 isprovided as an indicator as to whether the cartridge 1 has ever beenopened. As shown in FIG. 5, the claw 14 is connected to the cartridgebody 6 by a connectors 15. In the normal usage, as long the connectors15 join the claw 14 to the cartridge body 6, the claw 14 prevents thecover 16 from moving or rotating. The cover 16 seals the opening 13 andprevents the removal of the recording medium 2 while the cover 16 is inthe closed position, as shown in FIG. 4.

A hinge 17 is mounted to the cartridge body 6, and a first end of thecover 16 is pivotally mounted to the cartridge body 6 at the hinge 17. Asecond end of the holder 16 includes a latch 18, which engages areceptor 19 of the cartridge body 6, and thereby locks the cover 16 inthe closed position.

FIG. 6 (a) through FIG. 6 (c) depict a procedure for removal of therecording medium 2 from the cartridge 1 of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 (a) depicts the cartridge body 6 with the cover 16 in the closedor sealed position. The user receives the cartridge 1 in this condition,with the recording medium never having been removed from the cartridge1.

FIG. 6 (b) depicts the cartridge 1 with the claw 14 removed. To removethe claw 14, the user cuts the connectors 15 which releases the claw 14from the cartridge body 6. With the claw 14 removed, the cover 16 can berotated about the hinge 17 which opens the window 13 for access to therecording medium 2, as illustrated in FIG. 6 (c). The recording medium 2may then be removed from the cartridge body 6 through the window 13.

The above structure only allows the user to remove the recording medium2 from the cartridge 1 when the claw 14 is removed. The claw 14 therebyserves as an indicator for determining whether the recording medium 2may have been removed from the cartridge 1. When the connectors 15 havebeen cut and the claw 14 removed, the user can recognize that therecording medium may have been removed from the cartridge 1, and theuser can expect that the recording medium 2 may be contaminated withdust and/or fingerprints, or it may have some defects.

Additionally, since the opening 13, for accessing the recording medium2, is located on a different face than the first window 11 and thesecond window 12 a signal recording apparatus handling the cartridgerequires no special structure for regenerating a signal from both sidesof the disk. In this second embodiment, the first window 11 and thesecond window 12 are provided for recording and regenerating a signalto/from both sides of the recording medium 2. When either side of thedisk is used, however, or only one side of the disk is used, it issufficient to provide one window.

In either the first or second embodiment, the cover 5 or 16 can beremoved from the cartridge body 6, however, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), thecover 5 or 16 may remain joined with the cartridge body 6, by hinges 28as long as the recording medium 2 can be removed from the cartridge 1.FIG. 7 (a) illustrates the cover 5 as mounted to the cartridge body 6,and FIG. 7 (b) illustrates the cover 5 partially removed from thecartridge body 6.

A third embodiment, providing a signal recording apparatus which handlesthe cartridge of the present invention, is described as follows withreference to the drawings, wherein like or corresponding referencenumerals are used for like or corresponding parts throughout the severalviews.

Referring to FIG. 8, a detector 20 detects either the adhesive tape 4 orthe claw 14, and thereby determines whether the recording medium 2 haspossibly been removed from the cartridge 1. If the detector identifiesthat the recording medium 2 has possibly been removed from the cartridge1, a searcher 21 searches for defective or non-recordable locations onthe recording medium 2. The recorder 22 records signals onto therecording medium 2 via the head 23, and the searcher 21 searches fordefects on the recording medium 2 via the head 23.

The detector 20 corresponding to the cartridge of the first embodimentwith reflective silver tape, as shown in FIGS. 9 (a) and (b), comprisesa luminous element 24 which emits a beam of light directed at theadhesive tape on the cartridge 1, and a light receiving element 25 whichreceives reflected light therefrom.

FIG. 9 (a) depicts a case where the recording medium 2 has never beenremoved from the cartridge 1, and thus the adhesive tape 4 remains inplace. Emitted light from the luminous element 24 reflects off theadhesive tape 4 and is received by the light receiving element 25. Thedetector 20 determines that the received light exceeds a thresholdlevel, which indicates that the adhesive tape 4 has not been removed andthus the recording medium 2 has never been removed from the cartridge 1.

FIG. 9 (b) depicts a case where the recording medium 2 has possibly beenremoved from the cartridge 1. When the adhesive tape 4 is no longer onthe cartridge 1, a minimal amount of light is reflected from theluminous element 24 to the receiving element 25. The detector 20determines that the received light does not exceed the threshold level,which indicates that the adhesive tape 4 is not present and thus therecording medium 2 has possibly been removed from the cartridge 1.

As mentioned above, the adhesive tape 4 need not be of a reflectivecolor, for example a light absorbing color like black may be used. Inthe instance that a light absorbing color is used, the adhesive tape 4would absorb a portion of the light emitted from the luminous element 24and the receiver 25 would thus receive a reduced level of reflectedlight. The detector 20 determines that the received light is below athreshold level, which indicates that the adhesive tape 4 has not beenremoved and thus the recording medium 2 has never been removed from thecartridge 1.

Another example comprises an adhesive tape material with differentreflective properties than that of the cartridge body 6 and cover 5.Accordingly, a different amount of light emitted from the luminouselement 24 would be reflected from the adhesive tape 4 than from thecartridge body 6 and cover 5. The detector 20 of the signal recordingapparatus detects the level of light reflected from the cartridge body 6and cover 5, and determines whether the adhesive tape has been removedfrom the cartridge 1.

The detector 20 corresponding to the cartridge of the second embodimentwith the claw 14, as shown in FIGS. 10 (a)-(d), comprises a switch 26which detects the presence of the claw 14.

FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b) depict a situation where the recording medium 2has never been removed from the cartridge 1. The switch 26 moves upwardfrom an idle position, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), to an operational, asshown in FIG. 10 (b). The switch 26 contacts the claw 14 whichcompresses the switch. The detector 20 thereby identifies that the diskclaw 14 is present, which indicates that the recording medium 2 hasnever been removed from the cartridge 1.

FIGS. 10 (c) and 10 (d) depict a situation where the recording medium 2has possibly been removed from the cartridge 1. The detector 20 movesupward from the idle position and enters the hole from where the claw 14has been removed. The switch 26 does not compress, and the detector 20thereby identifies that the disk claw 14 is not present, which indicatesthat the recording medium 2 has possibly been removed from the cartridge1.

The recording apparatus of this third embodiment, as described above andillustrated in FIG. 8, operates as follows. In the case where therecording medium 2 has never been taken out of the cartridge 1, thesearcher 21 does not search for defective places on the recording medium2, and the recorder 22 records the signal through the head 23. In thecase where that the recording medium 2 has possibly been removed fromthe cartridge 1, either the searcher 21 searches for defective places onthe recording medium 2, and the recorder 22 records the signal onto therecording medium 2, skipping the defective locations, or the recorder 22prohibits the recording of the signal onto the recording medium 2without searching for defective locations. The recording apparatusthereby records a signal onto the recording medium 2 without accessingdefective locations and thus increases the reliability and speed of therecording process.

A fourth embodiment, providing an electronic apparatus which handles thecartridge of the present invention, is described as follows withreference to the drawings, wherein like or corresponding referencenumerals are used for like or corresponding parts throughout the severalviews.

Referring to FIG. 11, a display 27 (e.g. a CRT or LCD) displays a statusregarding the amount of recordable and/or non-recordable space on therecording medium 2, as determined by the searcher 21. The display 27 maybe separate from, but connected directly or indirectly to, the signalrecording apparatus, or may be incorporated therein.

The electronic apparatus of this fourth embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 11, operates as follows. In the case where the recording medium 2has never been taken out of the cartridge 1, the searcher 21 does notsearch for defective places on the recording medium 2, and the display27 displays the normal recording capacity of the recording medium 2. Inthe case where that the recording medium 2 has possibly been removedfrom the cartridge 1, however, the searcher 21 searches for defectiveplaces on the recording medium 2, and the display 27 displays the statusof the search results indicating the recordable capacity and/ornon-recordable capacity of the recording medium 2. Displaying thisinformation on the display 27 gives a user notice of the recordablecapacity of the recording medium 2.

A preferred embodiment of the searcher 21 operates by recording aninformation signal over the entire recording medium 2, and thenregenerating the information signal as recorded. The information signalincludes an error correction code, and an error can be detected when theinformation signal is regenerated. When a detected error cannot becorrected, or it can be corrected but it exceeds a specified errorrange, the sector where the error occurs is not recordable, and theinformation that the sector cannot be used is recorded at a specifiedplace on the recording medium 2. The recorded information regardingdefective sectors can also be displayed on the display 27 to inform theuser regarding the recordable capacity of the recording medium 2. Thisoperation is available also for each track or each sector of therecording medium 2, thereby defective or recordable sectors or trackscan be recorded in the specified place of the recording medium 2 forcontrolling a recording operation to the recording medium 2.

Where the recording medium 2 is an optical disk, a LASER is used in forrecording and regenerating signals. In order to store an informationsignal on the optical disk in an optimum condition, the acceptableoutput range of the LASER must be narrow. For example, in the case of acommercialized, recordable optical disk, an optimum output range of theLASER must be within plus or minus 10% of the specified power level.When recording an information signal within this range of LASER outputpower, the error rate does not exceed the specified range (e.g. not morethan 0.00001). When regenerating a recorded information signal, however,the error rate will not exceed the specified range, provided the LASERregenerating power output is within plus or minus 50% of the specifiedpower level. Therefore, it is known that an acceptable range of LASERoutput power for recording is narrow, while that for regenerating iswide.

In other words, once an information signal is recorded, it can beaccurately regenerated even if fingerprints, or other defects exist onthe optical disk. On the other hand, if fingerprints or other defectsexist on the optical disk before recording the signal, reliablerecording will be hard to achieve at the affected locations of the disk.Accordingly, after recording a signal onto the optical disk, it ispossible to remove the optical disk from a cartridge and load it to aregenerating apparatus to regenerate the signal. The optical can,however, be removed from the cartridge 1 of the present invention, andcan be reloaded for recording on the recording apparatus of the presentinvention. In this case, as explained above, the apparatus searches therecordable medium for defects, and then skips any defective locationswhile recording the desired signal.

As described above, the present invention provides advantages over theprior art. The present invention provides a disk cartridge that houses arecordable medium, and provides an indication as to whether thatrecordable medium has possibly ever been removed from the cartridge. Theuser may thereby determine that the recordable medium might becontaminated with fingerprints, dust or other defects prior toattempting to record a signal onto the recording medium.

The present invention also provides a signal recording apparatus thatcan detect whether a signal recording medium has possibly ever beenremoved from the cartridge. The signal recording apparatus, when itdetermines that a recording medium has possibly been removed from thecartridge, searches for defective locations on the recording medium, andskips any such places during signal recording. The signal recordingapparatus thus increases reliability and speed of the recording process.

The present invention further provides an electronic apparatus thatinforms the user of the recordable capacity of a recording medium thathas possibly been removed from the cartridge.

Of course, it should be understood that a wide range of modificationscan be made to the exemplary embodiments described above. It istherefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regardedas illustrative rather than limiting and that it be understood that itis the following claims, including all equivalents, which are intendedto define the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cartridge for housing a recording mediumtherein, comprising:a cartridge body configured such that a signalrecording apparatus can record a signal onto a removable recordingmedium housed within said cartridge body when said cartridge body isloaded in said signal recording apparatus; an opening in said cartridgebody for removing said recording medium from said cartridge body; and anindicator for indicating whether a cover over said opening has ever beenopened or removed from said cartridge body and for providing such anindication to an electrical detecting device, wherein said indicatorcomprises a detachable claw mounted to said cartridge body such thatdetaching said claw from said cartridge body enables a user to unlatch alatch of said cover and thereby open or remove said cover from saidcartridge body.
 2. A cartridge for housing a recording medium therein,comprising:a cartridge body configured such that a signal recordingapparatus can record a signal onto a removable recording medium whensaid cartridge is loaded in said signal recording apparatus; an openingin said cartridge body for removing said recording medium from saidcartridge body; a cover covering said opening; and an indicator forindicating whether said cover has ever been opened or removed from saidcartridge body and for providing such an indication to an electricaldetecting device, wherein said indicator comprises a detachable clawmounted to said cartridge body such that detaching said claw from saidcartridge body enables a user to unlatch a latch of said and therebyopen or remove said cover from said cartridge body.
 3. A cartridge forhousing a recording medium therein, comprising:a cartridge body havingat least one window for permitting recording of a signal onto aremovable recording medium when said cartridge is loaded in a signalrecording apparatus; an opening in said cartridge body for removing saidrecording medium from said cartridge body; a cover covering saidopening; and an indicator for indicating whether said cover has everbeen opened or removed from said cartridge body and for providing suchan indication to an electrical detecting device, wherein said indicatorcomprises a detachable claw mounted to said cartridge body such thatdetaching said claw from said cartridge body enables a user to unlatch alatch of said cover and thereby open or remove said cover from saidcartridge body.
 4. A cartridge for housing a recording medium therein,comprising:a cartridge body comprising; first, second and thirdsurfaces, with said first and second surfaces being on opposite sides ofsaid cartridge body, a first window in said first surface for permittingrecording of a signal onto a removable recording medium when saidrecording medium is loaded in a signal recording apparatus, and a secondwindow in said second surface for permitting recording of a signal ontosaid recording medium when said recording medium is loaded in saidsignal recording apparatus, said second window being of an approximatelyidentical shape as that of said first window; an opening provided insaid third surface for removing said recording medium from saidcartridge; a cover covering said opening; and an indicator forindicating whether said cover has ever been opened or removed from saidcartridge body and for providing such an indication to an electricaldetecting device, wherein said indicator comprises a detachable clawmounted to said cartridge body, such that detaching said claw from saidcartridge body enables a user to unlatch a latch of said cover andthereby open or remove said cover from said cartridge body.
 5. Thecartridge of either claims 2, 3 or 4,wherein said claw and saidcartridge body comprise a single molded article.